August (tbd) 2016 -summer college workshop - Rising seniors are encouraged to join us for their tailored choice of sessions in this workshop run by Ms Pronko and Ms Anderson, the college counselor. Students can bring a draft of an essay, work on or answer questions about Application forms, listen to and ask questions of a college admissions rep.
Please sign up by June 10 so we have an idea of how many to plan for. http://goo.gl/forms/dfJ0q33x2q
Bare bones advice: To apply to most "selective schools" you will need to organize the following.
1. an impressive transcript of rigorous courses
2. SAT or ACT test score
3. 2 SAT subject tests
4. two letters of recommendation (normally from core subject 11th grade teachers or another teacher who knows you very well)
5. the common application or the college's application
6. the common app essay
7. supplemental essays
8. a Naviance account for communication between guidance, the college, and students.
Websites of interest:
Naviance - Wissahickon's communication portal connecting students, counselors, and colleges. You can also compare yourself on graphs to WHS students who applied to specific colleges in the past. Juniors - make sure you write up aresume (you can use the template) and fill in the student questionnaire under the About Me tab.
College Board - Where you find dates, register for SATs, obtain results, and do some college searching based on your preferences.
Common App - Where you find a on-line application form, common essay prompts and where your essay can be uploaded, supplemental essay prompts and upload space for each school. Many, but not all schools use this form.
Upcoming events
August (tbd) 2016 - summer college workshop - Rising seniors are encouraged to join us for their tailored choice of sessions in this workshop run by Ms Pronko and Ms Anderson, the college counselor. Students can bring a draft of an essay, work on or answer questions about Application forms, listen to and ask questions of a college admissions rep.
Please sign up by June 10 so we have an idea of how many to plan for.
http://goo.gl/forms/dfJ0q33x2q
Bare bones advice: To apply to most "selective schools" you will need to organize the following.
1. an impressive transcript of rigorous courses
2. SAT or ACT test score
3. 2 SAT subject tests
4. two letters of recommendation (normally from core subject 11th grade teachers or another teacher who knows you very well)
5. the common application or the college's application
6. the common app essay
7. supplemental essays
8. a Naviance account for communication between guidance, the college, and students.
Websites of interest:
Naviance - Wissahickon's communication portal connecting students, counselors, and colleges. You can also compare yourself on graphs to WHS students who applied to specific colleges in the past.
Juniors - make sure you write up a resume (you can use the template) and fill in the student questionnaire under the About Me tab.
College Board - Where you find dates, register for SATs, obtain results, and do some college searching based on your preferences.
Common App - Where you find a on-line application form, common essay prompts and where your essay can be uploaded, supplemental essay prompts and upload space for each school. Many, but not all schools use this form.
Additional resources from Ms Pronko
If the standardized tests don't seem to "measure" you, check out these schools that are ignoring those scores:
SAT/ACT optional colleges
http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional
Financial Information
Forbes issues a chart every year that can help you estimate what type of financial aid you might get:
fin aid chart
Further reading
50 great colleges Take the time to explore these gems; many have generous financial aid packages.
How to Survive the College Admissions Madness
Colleges that Change Lives